Contents

Offical synopsis

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two. [1]

Plot Summary

Part 1: House of Beasts

Three months after the defeat of Amarantha Tamlin and Feyre are now engaged and Ianthe, a High Priestess of Prythian plans the wedding arrangements. Unfortunately, the couple have not yet recovered from the traumatic events that occurred in Under the Mountain. Feyre is ill and suffering from nightmares, and Tamlin is constantly afraid for Feyre's safety. She is desperate to leave the manor and visit the nearby village, but Tamlin refuses and demands she stay at home.

During the days before the wedding, Ianthe and Feyre spend much of their time together. Ianthe expresses the importance of the wedding to Feyre and the message it sends to the whole of Prythian. Tamlin and Lucien Vanserra are away on official Spring Court business, however Tamlin does meet with Feyre at night. They embrace intimately, and Tamlin tells Feyre that she will not become a 'High Lady' because they don't exist.

Tamlin feels guilty for not letting Feyre out of the manor and so the next day he allows her and Lucien to visit the nearby village. They ask around the village to see if they can help with any duties, however everyone refuses their service.

The day of the wedding arrives. Feyre is extremely nervous and when she approaches Tamlin during the wedding, she screams in her mind for help. Rhysand arrives at that moment, demanding that Feyre is to go to the Night Court as part of their bargain made Under the Mountain.

Rhysand takes her to his private residence at Night Court. Though Feyre was saved from having to participate in the wedding, she demands to be taken back. Due to the bond they both share, Rhysand reveals that he has had visions of her being terribly ill. He heard her plea for help and immediately left to bring her to his court. In annoyance, Feyre throws her shoe at Rhysand's head.

Feyre lives at the Night Court for the rest of the week. She finds the court less horrible than she anticipated. During the week, Rhysand sets her the task of learning how to read, and insists that she also should learn how to shield her mind. Rhysand therefore teaches her these skills. Feyre also meets Rhysand's cousin, Morrigan, who is eager to become her friend.

Rhys also tells her that he believes a war with Hybern is imminent. He believes that the King of Hybern wants to invade the Mortal Lands south of the Wall and possibly the faerie lands. He also tells her that, due to her resurrection as a High Fae, she may have inherited new powers. Rhys suggests that she train these powers, and become a weapon who can save the mortal world.

At the end of the week, Feyre returns to the Spring Court. Tamlin and Lucien immediately interrogate her for information about the Night Court as it is rare for anyone to gain access to it, and they want as much information as possible. Though Feyre doesn't want to, she obliges and tells Tamlin about her possibility that she has powers. However, Tamlin refuses to let her train.

One week passes and then The Tithe arrives, an event that occurs twice a year and involves every faerie in the Spring Court giving Tamlin a gift. In exchange, Tamlin promises to protect them, though if a faerie is unable to give him a gift, then he is expected to hunt them down. Feyre sits beside him while the Tithe occurs.

A Water-wraith enters the room and informs Tamlin that she is unable to pay the Tithe. She begs him to make an exception, but Tamlin refuses. He gives her three extra days to pay the Tithe, after which she will have to pay the consequence. Feyre is offended by Tamlin's behaviour as she believes that he should have made an exception.

Feyre storms away and meets with the water-wraith. She gives her all the jewellery she has on her person, allowing the water-wraith to pay her Tithe. Tamlin is outraged at this as he believes that she is undermining the rules of the court. Feyre, however, is sympathetic towards the water-wraith because she has suffered from poverty herself. Lucien stands up for Feyre but Tamlin is still angry. During their argument, Feyre accidentally enters Lucien's mind, revealing her powers as a Daemati.

Tamlin later apologies to Feyre and gifts her a painting kit. Feyre, however, is dismayed. She has lost interest in painting, due to her trauma from Under the Mountain. She instead turns the conversation back to Tamlin. Becoming increasingly distressed, she explains how she is 'drowning' under Tamlin's constant protection. Her distress escalates until breaking point. Tamlin gets mad and his power explodes—shattering the windows and the furniture into pieces. Feyre unknowingly creates a physical wall, blocking herself from Tamlin. He immediately apologies to Feyre, promising again to be better.

Feyre is later taken to the Night Court again, due to her bargain. Rhys appears worried and asks about a spike of fear he felt from their bond. He becomes very concerned when Feyre refuses to trade insults with him, having lost the will to do anything, and tries desperately to get a reaction from her. He is unsuccessful and grows increasingly worried, and pushes Feyre for details of what goes on at the Spring Court and why Tamlin does nothing. She remains apathetic and ignores him, and he leaves her alone for the rest of the week. He returns at the end of the week and tries making her angry; he succeeds, and Feyre anger causes her Winter and Autumn Court abilities to appear. Rhysand is relieved.

Feyre is returned to the Spring Court. Tamlin's behavior worsens and he begins to restrict Feyre even further. He continues to deny her training, even after Lucien tries to intercede on her behalf. Ianthe then aggravates the situation by voicing her concerns that Rhysand may decide in the future to keep Feyre indefinitely, and use her to produce powerful children. After this Tamlin and Lucien are called away on business and Feyre begs him to let her come with, to no avail. After she lets slip that she may follow him anyway Tamlin traps her in the house and leaves. Feyre begins to panic and tries desperately to escape the house, and her powers respond to her emotions, encasing her in a cocoon as she has a breakdown. Alis discovers her and tries to help, and Mor arrives to fetch her after Rhysand feels Feyre's anguish through their bond and shatters the wards on the house. Mor tells Alis to count herself lucky that Tamlin wasn't around, and she winnows Feyre back to the Night Court.

Feyre wakes up in the Night Court with Rhysand in a chair beside her. She notices Rhys is angry, before he hides it. Feyre suddenly remembers what happened and Rhys confirms that he heard her screaming and had her retrieved in a way that meant Tamlin couldn't march into his Court to get her back. She shows concern about having to go back, and Rhys again proposes that she work for him in exchange for food, clothing and shelter. He says she can stay as long as she wants. They have a short discussion before Rhys suggests she rest as he has business to attend to. Terrified of being left alone Feyre reluctantly asks to go with him, and he agrees, revealing that they leave in ten minutes for Velaris, the City of Starlight. She bathes and dresses while wondering what Velaris is like, convinced it is a ruin due to Amarantha. When she is ready Rhys winnows them to a town house, to Feyre's surprise, and she realises that they are in a city.

Part 2: The House of Wind

TBC

Part 3: The House of Mist

Special editions

A Target special edition includes an exclusive story about Nesta and Cassian called Wings and Embers.

Gallery

Editions

Manuscript development

Quote teasers

Trivia

The first draft of A Court of Mist and Fury was written entirely in a split POV between Feyre and Rhys. [13]

This installment of the series went through multiple name changes. [14]

A Court of Wind and Stone was the 'working title' of the book. However, Bloomsbury UK informed Sarah that 'wind' has a different meaning across the Atlantic, so it was quickly changed to A Court of Mist and Stone.

Then, during her Queen of Shadows tour, her editor suggested A Court of Calm and Fury. Maas liked the word 'Fury' and thought about including it in the title.

Maas brainstormed a number of titles in her notebook. Among them included A Court of Stars and Smoke, A Court of Wings and Stars, A Court of Venom and Silver and a A Court of Stars and Frost. She later finally chose A Court of Mist and Fury.

During the writing process, Sarah J. Maas was inspired by various pieces of music. She compiled her music into a spotify playlist, featured on the right.

Not Human by Javier Navarrete: This track from 2006's Pan's Labyrinth inspired the entirety of the Weaver in the Wood sequence.

“Cosmic Love” by Florence + the Machine: This track was one of the pieces that inspired the Starfall scenes. Maas might even go so far as to call it the theme song for the entire novel.

“Curtain Call” from the Shakespeare in Love soundtrack: This track inspired the events on page 530 (Chapter 55), where Rhysand and Feyre have sex.

"Gun" by CHVRCHES: This track inspired the last scene in the book, where Feyre returns to the Spring Court.

Like the previous novel, A Court of Mist and Fury is inspired and based around multiple fairy tales and myths, including:

Hades and Persephone: The greek myth inspired large parts of the novel in that Rhysand (meant to represent Hades) takes Feyre (Persephone) against her will to a place that is considered dark and evil, and eventually convinces her to stay.

Hansel and Gretel: This fairy tale inspired the character of the Weaver. [14]

Book of Exodus: This book loosely inspired parts of Miryam and Drakon's backstory. [13]